Another way of looking at the trials was to demonstrate to the German population exactly WHY they had the sh1t kicked out of them (thus avoiding the bitterness and resentment like they harboured after WWI). Another reason might the establishment of precedent- perhaps sending out the signal "You try this shit, this is what happens to you."

It's also easy to forget that the Nuremburg Trials were pivotal in establishing the nature of Nazi war crimes. We all know the story- we've had 60+ years to get our heads around it. You can't say that about the situation at the time.

I watched that, it was quite good. I think that the realisation that they were to be hung rather than shot must have had a profound effect upon them, particularly those in the military. Hanging was for criminals after all. I think that they, or most of them anyway, expected to get the death sentence and that being told that they would be hung basically demolished any 'honour' they may have had in death.

I'll bet they wanted to choke Albert Speer, the little weasel! Goering wAs an arrogant tw*t wasn't he? Mind you, he must have known that he had bugger all to lose.

But what were the Allies fighting for if not for democracy, the right to life and justice and respect for your fellow man - everything the Nazis were against. Shooting them without the painful examination of their horrific actions would have denied those principles for which millions of people had died to uphold.

Sometimes our basic instincts need to be subjugated to a higher perogative (trust me, I struggle with this probably most days when I want to annihilate some prat who's p*ssed me off!!)

Goering wAs an arrogant tw*t wasn't he? Mind you, he must have known that he had bugger all to lose.

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Apparently he threw a very good party; I've also read that Himmler was very good about giving time off for his staff who'd just had a family bereavement.

I'll try and dig out the reference, but it was Stalin who pushed to have all the major Nazi's (including Hitler, if he'd been caught alive) to be put on trial, whereas Churchill wanted to have them all shot (no public trial)

But - noble as Nuremburg was - and in my view it should have happened look what it has spawned - Human Rights legislation - yes the spirit in which it was meant is noble but the interpretation of it now as we all know is a fcukin joke. I find it laughable that european human rights legislation which is based on the Nuremburg model is forced upon this country in such a ridiculous manner when it was us that thought of it (and interpreted it pragmatically) in the first place.

I'll try and dig out the reference, but it was Stalin who pushed to have all the major Nazi's (including Hitler, if he'd been caught alive) to be put on trial, whereas Churchill wanted to have them all shot (no public trial)

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I recall reading somewhere that if the Red Army had captured Hitler alive, Stalin intended to put him on exhibition at the Moscow Zoo.

No trial, just a room next to the baboons.

Also, I read that Stalin grew ever more ferociously, absurdly suspicious with age. He supposedly suspected that the Americans or the British covertly gave Hitler asylum or at least were keeping his whereabouts secret.

Another way of looking at the trials was to demonstrate to the German population exactly WHY they had the sh1t kicked out of them (thus avoiding the bitterness and resentment like they harboured after WWI). Another reason might the establishment of precedent- perhaps sending out the signal "You try this s***, this is what happens to you."

It's also easy to forget that the Nuremburg Trials were pivotal in establishing the nature of Nazi war crimes. We all know the story- we've had 60+ years to get our heads around it. You can't say that about the situation at the time.

Also, I read that Stalin grew ever more ferociously, absurdly suspicious with age. He supposedly suspected that the Americans or the British covertly gave Hitler asylum or at least were keeping his whereabouts secret.

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Same with Martin Bormann, who incidentally now ekes out a living as a sub-post office master, and is the 1986/87 Yeovil and district indoor bowls champion.

Also, I read that Stalin grew ever more ferociously, absurdly suspicious with age. He supposedly suspected that the Americans or the British covertly gave Hitler asylum or at least were keeping his whereabouts secret.

Click to expand...

Same with Martin Bormann, who incidentally now ekes out a living as a sub-post office master, and is the 1986/87 Yeovil and district indoor bowls champion.